Southend on Sea in 10 days time

[pandachris]

I'm in Southend for a business meeting in early February and might grab half an hour first thing and a couple of hours early p.m. I've not visited the area before.

Anywhere handy for the Westcliff Hotel? Worth bringing a 'scope?

Cheers

Chris

[Grousemore]

I'm in Southend for a business meeting in early February and might grab half an hour first thing and a couple of hours early p.m. I've not visited the area before.

Anywhere handy for the Westcliff Hotel? Worth bringing a 'scope?

Cheers

Chris

Lots of information here. http://www.southendrspb.co.uk/sightings.htm

'Where to see birds' and 'latest sightings' should be useful.
Definitely worth bringing a scope for estuary birding.

[Ruby]

I don't really know the area, but they have had a string of good gulls reported over the years - often from the sea-front at Westcliff I believe....

[Rob Smallwood]

An ice cream at Rossi's might reap rewards...

[Ruby]

An ice cream at Rossi's might reap rewards...

I seem to remember hearing that they had had a Rossi's Gull....

[pandachris]

Can't stand ice cream. Quite like gulls, though. Looks like I'll find a way to fill a few hours.

Thanks for the hints so far.

Chris

[dbradnum]

'Rossi' is the regular returning adult Ring-billed Gull - he's been coming back to exactly the same stretch of the seafront for many years now. Virtually always right outside the ice-cream parlour. You'll certainly get a few Med Gulls along there as well.

If you have a little more time, you can go out onto the end of the pier, where there are often roosting Purple Sandpipers with the Turnstones on the burnt timbers.

Also, if you've got transport, then a quick trip round to Hockley Woods could be good especially early morning - decent chance of Lesser-spot, and pleasant woodland birding.

[skink1978]

Two Tree Island is not too far away. Not sure whats around at the moment but usually good for waders and SE Owl.

[pandachris]

Thanks again folks

My hire car has arrived so I'll load up with bins and scope as well as all the work related stuff on Sunday night. With a bit of luck I'll manage a long lunch "hour" before setting off back for home.

Is the 'Rossi's Gull' photographable? Can it be enticed with morsels of candy floss or frankfurter?

[pandachris]

No luck today. Didn't get the chance to do much birding, but it looks like I've got a follow-up meeting in three weeks time and now I know where to park, so I'll try for a later start time and give myself a few hours.

Big question though ... which Rossi's? I found two - one near the start of the pier and one not far from the Westcliff Hotel (the latter was just a little cabin). Neither seemed to have many gulls present this morning but it was decidedly grim at 8 a.m.

Cheers

Chris

[skink1978]

Its the Rossi's cafe in Westcliff near the Casino. There are a few hut type things that also sell Rossi's Ice cream.
I was there on Monday and the Ring-billed Gull was sat on a wave breaker next to a Common Gull. I find it easier to locate him at high tide, although feeding the gulls scraps soon brings him in.
Good luck

[pandachris]

Thanks Mike

I must have missed that Rossi's but I know where the casino is (you can't miss it after dark!). The breakfast at the Westcliff was quite impressive. I'll try and smuggle some out next time. Do you think RBGs prefer toast, sausages or hash browns?

[neil78]

Hi Chris,
It's the Rossi's about 300 yards west of the casino. The Ring-billed Gull is usually directly opposite Rossi's although 3 to 4 hours either side of high tide is best. It sometimes roosts on the casino roof at high tide, but at other times seemingly vanishes!
The following 2 websites have up to date sightings for the local area:

http://applerow.co.uk

http://www.southendrspb.co.uk/sightings.htm

Cheers,
Neil.

[Xenospiza]

I'd go for the Med Gulls at the end of the Pier... much more photogenic than the Ringbill!

[Nick-M]

The scrape is producing a large amount of wader activity when high tide comes in at the moment.

Lapwing
Dunlin
Jack Snipe
Snipe
Avocet
Knot
Ringed Plover
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Oyster Catcher
Little Egret
Black Tailed Godwit
Water Rail
Redshank
Greenshank
Teal
Shellduck
Gulls (All Sorts)

That was on the 12th.

[dbradnum]

Good stuff... but which scrape?!!!

The scrape is producing a large amount of wader activity when high tide comes in at the moment.

Lapwing
Dunlin
Jack Snipe
Snipe
Avocet
Knot
Ringed Plover
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Oyster Catcher
Little Egret
Black Tailed Godwit
Water Rail
Redshank
Greenshank
Teal
Shellduck
Gulls (All Sorts)

That was on the 12th.

[neil78]

Presumably the lagoon at the west end of Two Tree Island..

[Nick-M]

Yes thats correct.

[pandachris]

Success. I acquired a few slices of toast (wholemeal, of course) from the Westcliffe and was down in front of Rossi's before 8 a.m. I had a quick scan and found a couple of Med Gulls and a Common Seal easily enough and then walked down th sea wall steps and started to distribute the toast. The first bird to grab a piece was the Ring-billed Gull - much the closest view I've ever had of this species and a rather nice bird, I thought.

My meeting was in the building next to Portcullis House and I saw the Peregrine on the way in.

Now if they don't make me redundant this week I'll have to see about getting some more meetings sorted out in future months.